Finding yourself in front of a screen more often these days? If so, you’re exposing your skin to the damaging effects of blue light. Here’s everything you need to know about blue light and skin.
So what’s the deal with blue light and skin? Is phone light bad for skin? Here, we explain what blue light is and how to protect your skin from its damaging effects.
You may already be pretty familiar with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which comes directly from the sun itself. These rays can wreak havoc on our delicate skin and over time can result in all sorts of damage ranging from hyperpigmentation to dryness to premature wrinkling to—worst of all—skin cancer. And many sunscreens protect against these dangerous rays.
However, the full spectrum of light encompasses other harmful things that can be damaging to your skin, including blue light. Here’s what you should know about blue light and skin.
OK, so what exactly is blue light?
Light exists on a rainbow spectrum that ranges from UV (purple) all the way to infrared radiation (red). The sun produces all these various forms, and each affects the skin in ways that vary according to their wavelengths and the amount of energy they put off. The only light that’s technically visible to us is blue through infrared, so it makes sense that this section of the spectrum is referred to as “visible light.”
True to that ol’ ROYGBIV acronym, blue light sits right next to UV on this colorful spectrum. Given its proximity to UV rays, it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that blue light puts off a lot of energy. In fact, it’s also referred to as “high energy visible light” or HEVL.
While the sun is responsible for casting this blue light, it’s important to note that blue light is also emitted from artificial sources. The artificial sources you’re most familiar with? Your laptop, iPad, TV, phone, and basically any other screen you interact with throughout the day. It can even be emitted from light bulbs!
Is blue light damaging to skin?
Given that blue light is literally everywhere—and that many of us spend a whopping average of 10 hours per day in front of a screen (and probably more right now!)—understanding how blue light and skin connect is super important.
Remember how we talked about how blue light has high energy? Well, the more we’re exposed to blue light, the greater its effects are. Over time, it can cause hyperpigmentation, including the formation of age spots and melasma.
Blue light and your eyes:
A spot you should pay extra special attention to when it comes to blue light is the skin around your eyes. “The under eye skin is particularly sensitive because it is so thin,” says NYC board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Farber. “It’s among the most susceptible on the body because depletion of collagen or any volume loss can easily lead to a hollowed look. Vessels and delicate structures underneath the eye become more visible after repeat exposure to blue light (think late night TV and cell phone use).”
The bottom line:
Blue light is all around us, and it’s important to protect our skin from the damage it can cause. Fortunately, there is sophisticated, high-quality SPF out there that can help filter blue light, while also providing SPF protection from UV rays in the process.
+How do you protect yourself from blue light? Share your tips in the comments!
